Summary:
The Calistoga Joint Unified district operates two high schools in Calistoga, California: a comprehensive junior/senior high and a small continuation school, together serving grades 7-12 in a predominantly rural area.
Calistoga Junior/Senior High is the district's main school, serving 355 students with a remarkably high graduation rate of 96.7% and a lower-than-average dropout rate. While its English Language Arts performance is close to the state average and its 8th graders excel, math and science proficiency rates are significant areas for improvement. In contrast, Palisades High (Continuation) serves only 7 at-risk students with a very low student-teacher ratio and much higher per-student spending, functioning as an alternative education option.
Key takeaways for parents include the district's strength in keeping students engaged and graduating them successfully, despite academic challenges in specific subjects like math. The chronic absenteeism rate is better than the state average, indicating good student attendance. Families should note the stark difference between the two school environments: the larger comprehensive school offers a traditional program with solid graduation outcomes, while the much smaller continuation school provides intensive, alternative support for a handful of students.
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